Hand gestures

134 cards in this category — of which 85 complete, 49 under development.

• The V with inverted palmChurchill with open palm announces victory; the same hand rotated 180° insults a London pub. A flick of the wrist separates two worlds.
  CompleteTaboo
• The OK ring (thumb-index circle)Nixon in Brazil in 1950? A myth. But the American diver's small thumb-and-index circle can really insult a Brazilian driver just as fast.
  CompleteOffense
• Thumbs upThe 'like' button has almost erased a regional taboo. Almost. Offline, and outside the connected generation, the thumbs-up can still offend in Iraq, rural Greece or Iran.
  CompleteOffense
• Thumbs downThe reverse twin of the thumbs-up in Western culture: categorical rejection and social disapproval. But its significance varies from region to region, and Roman iconography is largely invented.
  CompleteMisunderstanding
• The horns (corna / mano cornuta)Extended index and little fingers: circus victory or rock rebellion in the North West. The same fingers mean "cuckold" and serious sexual insult in the Mediterranean and Latin America - a gesture separated by geography.
  CompleteOffense
• The figue (mano fico)Thumb pressed between index and middle finger: amulet against the evil eye in the ancient Mediterranean. Same gesture = serious homosexual insult in modern Italy, Greece, Turkey, Russia - a semantic shift of 2,000 years.
  CompleteOffense
• The moutza (le geste paume-ouverte grec)Open hand thrust towards face, fingers spread: supreme excremental insult in Greece, Turkey, the Balkans. Peaceful gesture of arrest in the West - dangerous 180-degree bivalence.
  CompleteTaboo
• The revers of the menton (italien/napolitain)Finger under chin, quick movement. Light Italian insult meaning "I don't care" or social rejection. Neapolitan gesture of indifference little known in the northern West.
  CompleteInsult
• The doigt d'honneur (middle finger / Stinkefinger)Tense major alone. The ultimate insult in the English-speaking West: the gestural equivalent of "fuck you". Virtually unknown and neutral in East Asia - striking global asymmetry.
  CompleteOffense
• The appel of the doigt (index recourbé)Curved index finger inviting you to come closer. A benevolent call in the West. Reserved for animals in Southeast Asia - use on human = degrading insult comparing to animal.
  CompleteInsult
• Le salute serbe à trois fingersTense thumb-index-major: Serbian pride, explosive provocation in Croatia and Bosnia. One gesture, three political stories.
  CompleteOffense
• L'applaudissement lentTribute sarcastique en anglais, applaudissement rythmé sincère en Chine.
  CompleteMisunderstanding
• Le poing levéSolidarité ouvrière, Black Power, résistance : un même geste, trois histoires politiques.
  CompleteInsult
• The Roman/Fascist saluteOutlawed in Germany, Austria and Italy; toxic wherever anti-fascism lives.
  CompleteTaboo
• Le L sur le front (loser)En Amérique, il stigmatise le perdant ; en Chine, c'est simplement le chiffre huit.
  CompleteMisunderstanding
• Le facepalmLa main sur le front : désarroi consensuel, popularisé par Star Trek et les mèmes.
  CompleteCuriosity
• Le chut (index sur les lèvres)L'un des gestes les plus universels — mais son contexte sous-entend parfois la menace.
  CompleteCuriosity
• La promesse du petit doigtLe yubikiri japonais, exporté en pinky swear américain — un pacte enfantin sérieux.
  CompleteCuriosity
• Le shaka (hang loose hawaïen)Pouce et auriculaire tendus : salut hawaïen de la détente, copié par tous les surfeurs.
  CompleteCuriosity
• Compter à la japonaise (pouce d'abord, paume vers soi)Le comptage japonais replie les doigts vers la paume ; l'Occidental les ouvre.
  CompleteCuriosity
• Pointer la lune du doigtAu Viêt Nam et en Chine, montrer la lune vous vaudrait, dit-on, une oreille coupée.
  CompleteMisunderstanding
• Nose tap (confidential signal)Finger to nose means "secret" in Nordic and Mediterranean cultures - a universalist complicity among urban children and adults.
  CompleteCuriosity
• Throat-slice gesture (death threat)The index finger crossing the throat horizontally: cancelled in the West, but a death threat in the Middle East and South Asia - a serious post-trauma misunderstanding.
  CompleteOffense
• Bras d'honneur (Italian salute, umbrella gesture)Arm bent, left hand hitting biceps - a major insult equivalent to the middle finger, ubiquitous in France, Italy and Latin America.
  CompleteTaboo
• Quenelle (Dieudonné gesture)Arm stretched down at an angle, hand palm-down - gesture popularized by Dieudonné, codified as an anti-Semitic insult in France since ~2013.
  CompleteTaboo
• Hitler salute (Hitlergruß, Deutschgruß)Arm extended horizontally, palm down - Nazi salute codified as a hate crime in several European countries, possible historical confusion with military salute.
  CompleteTaboo
• The blown kissFingertip kissing: chaste affection in the West, sexual familiarity in South Asia.
  CompleteMisunderstanding
• Le petit bye bye (palm ouverte, fingers qui agitent)Waving the palm towards you: goodbye West, 'come here' Asia - radical inversion.
  CompleteCuriosity
• Hand on heart (oath of allegiance)Hand on heart: sincere oath USA, suspicious theatricality elsewhere.
  CompleteCuriosity
• Patting your heart (Italian promise)Patting the heart: sincere Italian promise, sarcasm perceived elsewhere.
  CompleteCuriosity
• Fanning the mouth (too spicy)Shake open palm: overall spicy heat, local refusal.
  CompleteCuriosity
• The exposed soleShowing the sole of the foot: Western comfort, Asian insult.
  CompleteTaboo
• Throwing a shoeThrowing a shoe: political protest or capital insult.
  CompleteOffense
• Feet on deskFeet on the desk: relaxation in the West, serious insubordination elsewhere.
  CompleteInsult
• L'index finger qui gronde (wagging finger)'Agiter l''index finger : réprimande parentale, féminité passive-agressive ailleurs.'
  CompleteMisunderstanding
• Parler les hands dans les pochesHands in pockets: Western relaxation, insolent hierarchical cultures.
  CompleteMisunderstanding
• Arms crossed (defensive)Crossed arms: universal defense or cultural comfort, ambiguous.
  CompleteCuriosity
• Japanese inclination (o-jigi)Japanese reverence: 45° respect, 90° deep contrition.
  CompleteCuriosity
• Korean tilt (jeol / insa)Kowtow: knee + ground front, maximum apology or allegiance.
  CompleteMisunderstanding
• Chin up (non-Mediterranean)Chin up: absolute Mediterranean 'no', Scandinavian 'what?
  CompleteMisunderstanding
• Eyebrow flash (Samoa, Philippines)Eyebrow flash: Polynesian greeting, flirting elsewhere.
  CompleteCuriosity
• The winkFlashing: humorous complicity, but ambiguous flirtation or mockery.
  CompleteMisunderstanding
• The limp wristSlack wrist: harmless gesture or globalized homophobic stereotype.
  CompleteOffense
• The number eight and prosperity (East Asia)Number eight: symbol of Chinese prosperity, phonetically assimilated to success.
  CompleteCuriosity
• Paper-stone-scissors (janken)Janken: 3-option decision game (stone/paper/scissors) dating back 2000+ years, codified 17th-century Japan.
  CompleteCuriosity
• The goodbye greeting vs. the dismissal gestureWave hand: farewell open palm, return closed palm down.
  CompleteMisunderstanding
• Argentina's mano pichocha (pinching hand)Mano pichocha: Argentine provocation, violence perceived elsewhere.
  CompleteInsult
• Measuring a person in Colombia (vertical palm)Low-height palm: 'you're small', a deep Colombian insult.
  CompleteOffense
• The finger under the eye (ojo latino)Le doigt sous l'œil (ojo latino)
  CompleteCuriosity
• The sign against the evil eye (nazar)Le signe contre le mauvais œil (nazar)
  CompleteCuriosity
• La main qui frotte (silver)La main qui frotte (argent)
  CompleteMisunderstanding
• The Roman thumb downLe pouce baissé à la romaine
  CompleteMisunderstanding
• Open hand shaking (Spain - "full")Main ouverte secouée (Espagne — « plein »)
  CompleteCuriosity
• Whistling with your fingersSiffler avec les doigts
  CompleteMisunderstanding
• Palms up "finishedAmbivalent gesture: palm up French no more.
  CompleteCuriosity
• The hand that slices the horizontal (that's enough)Ambivalent gesture: cut it out slice horizontally.
  CompleteMisunderstanding
• Hand on head (Southeast Asia)Ambivalent gesture: hand on head condolences.
  CompleteOffense
• The taboo of the left handAmbivalent gesture: left hand unclean taboo.
  CompleteInsult
• Holding an object with both handsAmbivalent gesture: two-handed object giving.
  CompleteMisunderstanding
• Lire une carte de visite (meishi)Lire une carte de visite (meishi)
  CompleteInsult
• The Bulgarian horizontal nodRegionalized kinesic gesture: Bulgarian horizontal no shake.
  CompleteInsult
• Turkish tsk with recoilRegionalized kinesic gesture: turkish tsk head toss.
  CompleteMisunderstanding
• Receiving a Mongolian bowl with both handsRegionalized kinesic gesture: Mongolian airag right hand.
  CompleteMisunderstanding
• Hand in front of mouth, laughingRegionalized kinesic gesture: hand over mouth laughter.
  CompleteCuriosity
• "Ma che dici?" (palm facing, fingers together)Regionalized kinesic gesture: italian ma che dici gesture.
  CompleteCuriosity
• Finger on the throat (Russian slang for drinking)Regionalized kinesic gesture: russian flicking throat.
  CompleteCuriosity
• A fist to the heart (Nordic sportsman)Regionalized kinesic gesture: norwegian fist chest heart.
  CompleteCuriosity
• Crossed indexes (Latin America - enmity)Regionalized kinesic gesture: crossed index fingers latam enmity.
  CompleteMisunderstanding
• The fist that hits the palm (threat)Regionalized kinesic gesture: fist to palm slap.
  CompleteInsult
• The stop (vertical palm)Regionalized kinesic gesture: vertical stop palm.
  CompleteInsult
• Fingers crossed behind the backBritish childhood gesture of magical cancellation: 'I cross my fingers so this lie doesn't count.' Rarely offensive, but revealing of a culture of moral exemption.
  CompleteCuriosity
• Jazz handsAmerican theatrical gesture: both hands open and spread, fingers spread wide, shaken lightly upward. Performative enthusiasm, often ironic by 2026.
  CompleteNeutral
• Che palle! (testicles gesture)Regional Italian gesture of frustration: both hands mimicking testicles, shaken slightly downward. Accompanies exclamation *Che palle!* ('what a scam!'). Borderline between obscene joke and context-dependent insult.
  CompleteInsult
• Korean finger heartKorean K-pop gesture: two index fingers and two thumbs joined, forming a stylized heart in front of the chest. Affection, fan solidarity, love. Massive global diffusion since 2010s via Korean popular culture.
  CompleteNeutral
• The Portuguese OK (shame on you)Portuguese obscene gesture: index finger-thumb ring (like OK), but with wrist twist. "Shame on you", "fool". Very regionalized, often confused with American OK.
  CompleteMisunderstanding
• Pulling the lower eyelid (Italy)Italian gesture of contempt: pull the lower eyelid down, exposing the conjunctiva. "You're telling lies". Highly regionalized, little-known outside central-southern Italy.
  CompleteMisunderstanding
• Vulcan / Kohanim (Jewish blessing)Double-charged gesture: Jewish Kohanim blessing (two V splits = Hebrew Shin) + Star Trek Vulcan gesture (1967). No conflict, two traditions coexist. Universal positive gesture, no documented offense.
  CompleteNeutral
• Hand below the elbow (Korean respect)Korean/Asian gesture of respect: one hand supports the elbow/arm of the other during a greeting or formal gesture. Signal of deference to hierarchy. Common in Korea, Japan and China. No offense intended.
  CompleteNeutral
• Table knock (tisch) - GermanyGermanic gesture: lightly tapping the table (palm, fingers). Silent approval, quiet agreement. Frequent in Germany, Austria, German-speaking Switzerland. No offense.
  CompleteNeutral
• Hongi (Maori nose-to-nose greeting)Sacred Maori greeting: two people bring foreheads and noses together, exchange breath. Signifies sharing of spirit (wairua), mutual recognition. Deep cultural practice, to be honored with respect. No documented offense.
  CompleteNeutral
• Kunik (Inuit nose-to-nose greeting)Affectionate Inuit greeting: two people bring noses and cheeks together, exchange breaths. Affection, gratitude, warmth. An ancient Arctic tradition, little known outside the polar regions.
  CompleteNeutral
• Three fingers (silver) - JapanJapanese gesture: three fingers raised (thumb, forefinger, middle finger) = money, bill. Very regionalized, little known outside Japan.
  CompleteNeutral
• OK hijacked (white power symbol)⚠️ CRITICAL: Standard OK gesture (thumb-index circle) hijacked since 2017 by white supremacist extremists as covert hate symbol. Context determines if OK = innocent approval or hidden hate signal. Public photography extremely risky.
  CompleteTaboo
• Hi Wakanda Forever (Black Panther)Black Panther cinematic gesture (Marvel): two closed fists raised, arms crossed in X. Wakanda allegiance, Afro-diaspora solidarity. In actual use since 2018 as an affirmation of African cultural identity.
  CompleteNeutral
• Peace gesture (dove)Universal gesture of peace: two hands open, palms down. Used worldwide to express peace, solidarity and non-violence. No offense intended.
  CompleteNeutral
• Le salut thaïlandais des trois doigts (Hunger Games)Emprunté à Hunger Games, trois doigts en l'air peuvent valoir arrestation à Bangkok.
  Under developmentOffense
• Le sifflement au spectacleLe sifflet du spectateur américain est une huée féroce au théâtre français.
  Under developmentInsult
• Parle à la mainLa paume tendue façon sitcom années 90 — mais attention : en Grèce, c'est la moutza.
  Under developmentMisunderstanding
• Le pouce entre index et majeur« J'ai ton nez » pour un enfant allemand, insulte sexuelle crue en Russie et en Turquie.
  Under developmentOffense
• Le salut vulcain (Star Trek)Inspiré du Kohanim juif par Leonard Nimoy — une bénédiction recyclée en pop culture.
  Under developmentCuriosity
• Se taper la tempe« Réfléchis » aux États-Unis, « tu es fou » en France — même geste, sens inverses.
  Under developmentMisunderstanding
• Le tire-bouchon à la tempe (fou)L'index qui tourne à la tempe désigne un fou — insulte grave en Allemagne au volant.
  Under developmentInsult
• L'appel palm-vers-le-bas (European wave goodbye)Palm down, fingers curved inward. European call or farewell. Minor confusion in North America with dismissal gesture.
  Under developmentCuriosity
• Le pointage à l'indexDésigner quelqu'un de l'index est grossier dans une majorité de cultures hors Occident.
  Under developmentInsult
• Le pointage avec les lèvresAux Philippines, au Nicaragua et chez plusieurs peuples autochtones, on pointe avec la bouche.
  Under developmentCuriosity
• Le pouce de l'auto-stoppeurHéritée des GI américains, l'auto-stop à pouce levé est mal reçue au Moyen-Orient.
  Under developmentInsult
• Le salut scout à deux doigtsLe salut scout polonais ressemble, paume inversée, à l'insulte britannique du V.
  Under developmentInsult
• Compter trois : pouce-index-majeur ou index-majeur-annulaireL'Allemand compte depuis le pouce, l'Américain depuis l'index — les serveurs en savent quelque chose.
  Under developmentCuriosity
• Compter un : pouce ou index ?L'Italien lève le pouce pour dire un ; l'Anglais, l'index — quiproquo au comptoir.
  Under developmentCuriosity
• Les cornes du cocu (cornuto)Faire les cornes derrière la tête d'un mari, en Italie, peut finir au commissariat.
  Under developmentOffense
• Le coup de poing victorieuxCélébration sportive planétaire, mais son intensité « trop américaine » agace ailleurs.
  Under developmentCuriosity
• Le high-five (tape main contre main)Née dans le baseball des années 1970, la claque main-contre-main s'est planétarisée.
  Under developmentCuriosity
• Le check / fist bumpDu ring de boxe à Barack Obama, le poing contre poing s'est poli en code pandémique.
  Under developmentCuriosity
• La poignée de main — force et duréeBroyer la main d'un cadre japonais ou la tendre molle à un Texan : deux malaises symétriques.
  Under developmentMisunderstanding
• Le oui-non inversé (Bulgarie, Albanie, Macédoine)En Bulgarie, hocher la tête de haut en bas peut signifier non — et inversement.
  Under developmentInsult
• Le dandinement de tête indienUn hochement latéral subtil qui oscille entre oui, peut-être et « j'entends ce que tu dis ».
  Under developmentCuriosity
• Le claquement de doigtsAppeler un serveur en claquant des doigts : impardonnable à Paris, toléré à Caracas.
  Under developmentInsult
• Les guillemets de l'airDeux doigts qui mordillent l'air pour citer — et moquer — un mot d'autrui.
  Under developmentCuriosity
• Les doigts croisés (chance ou mensonge)Souhait de chance en Europe ; obscénité au Viêt Nam, où il évoque un sexe féminin.
  Under developmentMisunderstanding
• Les cornes rock (devil horns)Les cornes métal de Ronnie James Dio sont, en Italie, l'insulte cornuta du cocu.
  Under developmentOffense
• Compter jusqu'à dix sur une main (système chinois)Les Chinois comptent de 1 à 10 sur une seule main avec un système gestuel distinct.
  Under developmentCuriosity
• Military hand saluteMain droite portée au front — geste ritualisé de respect hiérarchique militaire, universellement normalisé, sans tabou régional.
  Under developmentCuriosity
• Le poing du toit iranienDescription courte de Le poing du toit iranien — geste documenté.
  Under developmentOffense
• La mano pantea (hamsa)Description courte de La mano pantea (hamsa) — geste documenté.
  Under developmentCuriosity
• La main des cinq chiitesDescription courte de La main des cinq chiites — geste documenté.
  Under developmentMisunderstanding
• L'anjali mudra (namaste)Description courte de L'anjali mudra (namaste) — geste documenté.
  Under developmentCuriosity
• Le wai thaïlandaisDescription courte de Le wai thaïlandais — geste documenté.
  Under developmentMisunderstanding
• Le sampeah cambodgienDescription courte de Le sampeah cambodgien — geste documenté.
  Under developmentMisunderstanding
• La main sur le cœurDescription courte de La main sur le cœur — geste documenté.
  Under developmentCuriosity
• Se tirer le lobe d'oreilleDescription courte de Se tirer le lobe d'oreille — geste documenté.
  Under developmentOffense
• La vis sur la joue (geste italien)Description courte de La vis sur la joue (geste italien) — geste documenté.
  Under developmentCuriosity
• Tirer la paupière inférieureDescription courte de Tirer la paupière inférieure — geste documenté.
  Under developmentMisunderstanding
• Le coup de poignet italien « on y va »Description courte de Le coup de poignet italien « on y va » — geste documenté.
  Under developmentCuriosity
• Les doigts pincés italiens (ma che vuoi)Description courte de Les doigts pincés italiens (ma che vuoi) — geste documenté.
  Under developmentCuriosity
• Le petit doigt dressé (japonais)Description courte de Le petit doigt dressé (japonais) — geste documenté.
  Under developmentInsult
• Le yubikiri (pinky swear japonais)Description courte de Le yubikiri (pinky swear japonais) — geste documenté.
  Under developmentCuriosity
• Le haussement d'épaules (paumes levées)Description courte de Le haussement d'épaules (paumes levées) — geste documenté.
  Under developmentCuriosity
• Les doigts-pistolet (finger guns)Description courte de Les doigts-pistolet (finger guns) — geste documenté.
  Under developmentInsult
• Hook 'em Horns (Texas)Texan gesture: two fingers raised in V (index, middle), forming the 'horns' of UT Austin's Longhorn. Football team support, Texan university pride. Low risk of offense.
  Under developmentCuriosity
• Geste argent coréen (swag)Geste coréen : pincée avec pouce-index signifiant argent/richesse. Surtout contexte jeunesse urbaine moderne. Peu connu international.
  Under developmentNeutral
• Claquement de doigts (salutation Amérique latine)Geste Amérique latine : claquement de doigts brefs = salutation informelle, appel amical. Contexte socio-familier.
  Under developmentCuriosity
• Signe sucette-bébé (Argentine)Geste argentin : doigt levé mimant sucette = allusion à naïveté/bêtise, surtout envers enfant ou personne imbécile. Registre familier/blague.
  Under developmentCuriosity
• Chiquenaude épaule-cou (Colombie)Geste colombien : mouvement rapide main du cou vers l'arrière (loin de visage) = »va-t'en, tu m'ennuies«. Insulte légère contexte familier.
  Under developmentCuriosity
• Paume ouverte + tsk irakienGeste irakien : paume ouverte pointe vers l'avant + son »tsk« = rejet, dédain, insulte légère. Très régionalisé, peu connu hors Moyen-Orient.
  Under developmentMisunderstanding